Israeli police say they have shot dead a Palestinian man in Jerusalem after he attacked four people, two of whom have now died.

Two Israelis have been killed and another two injured in an attack in the Old City of Jerusalem, police say.

The knife-wielding man attacked three family members in the Old City near the Lion's Gate.

An Israeli police spokesman told the BBC that a Palestinian man had carried out a knife attack on a group near Lion's Gate.

He reportedly first stabbed the father of the family and took his gun, which he then fired at a woman and a group of tourists, before being shot dead.

He is said to have stolen a gun from one of the victims and fired a number of shots before being shot dead by Israeli police.

It comes two days after an Israeli couple were shot dead in the West Bank.

The two injured victims, a woman and a young child, are in hospital.

They were driving a car with their four children.

An investigation is under way to identify the attacker.

In the latest incident a woman aged about 20 and a two-year-old child were also injured and are being treated in hospital. The woman is said to be seriously hurt and the baby lightly injured.

Reports say the man attacked an ultra-Orthodox Jewish family, stabbing the father and taking his gun, which he then fired at a woman and a group of tourists.

An investigation has been launched to try to determine the attacker's identity.

The attack comes two days after an Israeli couple, who were in a car with their four children, were shot dead in the West Bank.

UN exchange

UN exchange

There has been a recent flare-up in tensions between Israel and Palestinians, with violent confrontations between security forces and Palestinian youths in a compound holy to both Jews and Muslims in East Jerusalem.

There has been a recent flare-up in tensions between Israel and Palestinians, with violent confrontations between security forces and Palestinian youths in a compound holy to both Jews and Muslims in East Jerusalem.

Earlier this week, Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas told the UN General Assembly that Israel risked creating "an explosive situation" in Jerusalem and the West Bank with its use of "brutal force".

Earlier this week, Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas told the United Nations General Assembly that Israel risked creating "an explosive situation" in Jerusalem and the West Bank with its use of "brutal force".

In his address to the UN chamber on Thursday, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu called on Mr Abbas to "stop spreading lies" about Israel and return to peace talks.

In his address to the UN chamber on Thursday, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu called on Mr Abbas to "stop spreading lies" about Israel and return to peace talks.